Introducing new foods to young children helps discourage picky eaters, expert says

Guelph Mercury

Preventing picky eating in children is far easier than trying to curb the bothersome habit, says an infant feeding expert.

Exposing children to new foods continually is the key to encouraging good eating habits, said registered dietitian Joanne Saab.

“You don’t force them to eat it, but you’re always exposing them,” said Saab, who works at McMaster Children’s Hospital and counsels new parents.

“Picky eaters is probably the No. 1 thing I get asked.”

Children need to be exposed to a new food 10 to 15 times, or more, before tasting it. Just putting it on the table or child’s plate is a good start, even if they don’t touch the food right away.

Feeding babies and small children, including the misconceptions and challenges, was the focus of a recent survey by the Dairy Farmers of Ontario, which involved internet-based interviews with 500 mothers this spring.

The vast majority of mothers interviewed said they had a concern about feeding their infant or toddler, Saab said. That confusion is not surprising, considering the overload of information and advice from varying sources, including family.

Nurturing good eating habits early is essential, Saab said, especially with the growing problem of childhood obesity.

“You want to give them a good base for the rest of their life and you want to set a good example for them,” said Saab, who has twin daughters.

That includes parents eating a varied diet, too. Saab said even babies can pick up on facial clues, making it important for parents to avoid obvious dislikes to certain foods.

“If you don’t eat your fruits and vegetables, how do you expect your kids to do it?”

Picky eating is normal, she said, but it’s important for parents to work through that and encourage their children to try different foods.

What foods and beverages to give growing infants confuses many parents, Saab said.

Iron-rich foods should be introduced first, before fruits and vegetables, because babies are born with enough iron to last only the first few months.

“Around six months, they need to start getting it from their diet,” Saab said.

Meat and alternatives, including fish, cooked egg yolk and well-cooked legumes, and iron-fortified infant cereals are good sources of iron essential to a baby’s development. Adding mashed or pureed fruits and vegetables can begin once iron-rich foods are established in a child’s diet.

Very few of the new mothers surveyed believed meat or poultry should be the first solid foods introduced, instead favouring fruits and vegetables.

“Parents don’t realize the importance of iron and how much babies need it,” Saab said.

Candy, chocolate and salty snacks should also be avoided, yet only one in four surveyed mothers said these snack foods should not be given to infants or toddlers.

Milk in a child’s diet is also a commonly misunderstood.

“Parents don’t seem to know when it’s OK to introduce milk and what kind of milk,” Saab said.

Lower-fat milk is not OK for children under two. Soy, rice milk and fruit juice is also not advised before that age because they’re lower in fat, energy and vitamin D. Whole milk can be introduced at nine to 12 months and can continue until two, when lower-fat milk can be added.

“You need fat and calories at a young age for brain development and growth,” Saab said.

Saab encourages parents to make their own baby food at home, which requires only a hand-held blender or food processor. Cooked foods can be pureed or mashed, and then small bits added for toddlers to gradually make the switch to whole foods.

Generally the same food can be used as cooked for the rest of the family, simply set the food aside before adding salt, butter and other flavourings. Homemade baby food can be frozen to use later, making it just as convenient as store-bought foods.

Many special foods are available for infants and toddlers, but Saab cautions parents to read labels carefully to ensure it’s healthy.

Saab said parents unsure about what to feed their small children can find helpful information on Health Canada’s website. But she urges parents to not get overwhelmed and enjoy the experience.